Improvement in car-door locks



@anni otitis.

JAMES L. HOWARD, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

Letters Patent No. 98,967, dated January 18, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT CAR-DOOR LOCKS.

To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES-L. HOWARD, of Hartford, in the county ofHartford, and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and usefulImprovementin Freight-Car Lock; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which willenable othersskilled in the art to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of thisspecication.

This invention relates to locks forfastening the doors of railroadfreight-cars, having especial reference to the locks,wherethe boltsecures a hasp; and consists in combining a longitudinally-ribbed bolt,having arecessed arrow-head thereon, with hooked catches, as will behereinafter more particularly specified.

'In the accompanying drawing- Y Figure 1 represents a top view ofthelock, so far as it relates to my invention.

Figure 2 is an edge view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A is the lock-plate, to which is attached the lock i proper B,containing the mechanism, (springs, wards,

tumbler-s, &c.,) by which the hook-jaws C C are op erated or spread, soas to release the bolt D.

As these locks have hitherto been made, the ends of the jaws C, by whichthe bolt D is fastened, have been made with square shoulders, instead ofhooks, and the arrow-head E of the bolt has been made to correspond.Such a construction has not prevented the lock from being tampered with,and the bolt withdrawn, by expert burglars.

As this connection is a vital point in the lock-fastening, I have, witha view ofrendering it perfectly safe, formed a hook-connection, as secuat F F, tig. 1, so that any friction which might be prod nced by drawingupon the bolt, and tapping the same, will only serve to draw the jawstoward each other, instead of allowing them to be spread. been found aperfect protection.

G is a longitudinal rib on the bolt, to prevent the same from havinglateral play, and to guide it ina right line to its -true positionbetween the hooked catches. This rib may be laterally perforated, toreceive a wire', to which a seal may be then attached.

Through this hole I pass a wire, to which the seal is attached forsealing the lock. By attaching the seal to the bolt, by means of a wire,in this prominent position, the seal can never be overlooked, as'anytampering therewith would be at once exposed to view.

I I are bands or clasps, securely riveted to the plate A, through whichclasp the bolt D passes. l

The lock is placed vertically on the door-frame or casing, with the boltD hanging down. The hasp ofthe door is closed over the plate-A, (havinga slot or mortise in it, which receives the clasp 1,) and occupies thespaces J J, beneath the bolt.

When the liasp -is thus placed,the bolt is shoved up through the claspsI I', and into the jaws C C, the key heilig used only in unlocking.

Vhen the car-door is to be opened, the key is iuserted and turned, andthe jaws spread apart. By this proceeding the bolt will be raised, andwill fall out by its own gravity.

Having thus described my invention, K I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent- A freight-car lock, provided with hooks F F,and aY bolt, having arrow-head E, recessed under its wings, andlongitudinal rib G, all arranged as and for the purpose specified.

The above specication of my invention signed by lne, this 8th day ofOctober, 1869. 'XVitnessem JAMES L. HOIVARD.

GEO. W. Manna,

E. TATE.

This hook-connection F has

